Spring-balance computing-scale.



N0. 64l,l95. I Patented Jan. 9, I900.

' J. W. CULMER 8'. G. B. HUYT.

SPRING BALANCE COMPUTING SCALE.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1898.)

(No Model.) 2 Sheets-Sheet l.

7 E III Th5 NORRIS vzflrns co, Pnuroumo, WASHINGTON. 11c.

' N0. 64|,l95. Patented Jan. 9, I900.

J. W. CULMER 81. G. 'B. HOYT.

.SPRlNG BALANCE COMPUTING SCALE.

(Application filed Feb. 4, 1898.) (No Model.) 2 Sheet-Sheet 2.

wwu ml UNITED STATES PATENT FFiCE.

IiOHN WV. CULMER AND GEORGE B. HOYT, OF CLEVELAND, OHIO, ASSIGNORS TOTHE NATIONAL COMPUTING SCALE COMPANY, OF SAME PLACE.

SPRiNG-BALANCECOMPUTING SCALE.

SPEGIFTCATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 641,195, dated January9, 1900.

Application filed February 4, 1898. $erial No- 669,0'77. (N model.)

To aZZ whom it may concern.-

Be it known that we, JOHN W. CULMER and GEORGE E. Herr, citizens of theUnited States, residing at Cleveland, in the county of Cuyahoga andState of Ohio, have invented a certain new and useful Improvement inSpring-Balance Computing-Scales, of which the following is a full,clear, and exact description, reference being had to the accom- [Opanying drawings.

Our invention relates to spring-balance computing-scales, and especiallyto certain features of construction whereby such scales may be assembledand fitted with greater case and accuracy and operated with less dangerof derangement from shock; also, to the employment in such a scale oftwo dials so graduated that one shall express to the operator the moneyvalue of the article being weighed while the other shall express to thepurchaser the weight of such article, in combination with face-platescovering said dials and having suitable openings through which theindications of weight and value may be read;

2 5 also, in such other improvements as are herein shown and described,and particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the drawings, Figure 1 is an elevation of that face of the scalewhich indicates values. Fig. 2 is an elevation of that face of the scalewhich indicates weights. Fig. 3 is an elevation of a scale embodying ourinvention with one face-plate or cover removed to show the constructienof the interior mechanism. Fig. l is a transverse vertical sectionalview on line 4 4: of Fig. 8. Fig. 5 is'a front elevation of thebridge-bar on the value-indicating face of the scale, and Fig. 6 is atransverse sectional view of the same on line 6 6 of Fig. 1.

Referring to the parts by letters, A represents the scale-frame, whichis in the form of a ring having projecting bosses a a for fastening thebridge-bars and face-plate to the frame. This frameAis suspended byaloop R, secured to its upper edge. At a point diametrically opposite tothis loop a hole a is formed through the scale-frame to permit therunner to pass through it. On opposite sides of the center of the scaleare two approximately vertical bars D, which may be integral with orsecurely fastened to the frame.

Near their upper ends these bars are provided with the bracket-arms cl,which project toward the center of the scale, these arms being providedfor the attachment of the upper ends 5 5 of the springs C upon which therunner is suspended. The runner may be constructed in the ordinary way,except that its cross-head Z) is provided at its extremities withvertical holes 17. A rod F, threaded at both ends, passes freely througheach opening. Upon each end of each rod is a screw-nut f, and betweensaid nuts and the cross-head and surrounding the rod F are spiralsprings G G, which springs are balanced against each other by means ofthe nuts.

Upon the vertical bars D are the stop-arms d, which lie above thecross-head b and in such position that the upper ends of the rods F maystrike them. Upon the inner surface of the ring a are the anvils a,against which the lower ends of said rods F may strike. The length ofthe rod F and the tension applied to the springs G are such that whenthe scale is in its normal condition-thatis to say, when it is notloaded there is a slight space between the upper end of each rod F andthe corresponding stop-arms d, and when the scale is loaded to its fullcapacity there is a small space between the lower ends of the rods F andthe corresponding anvils or stops 0%. Then, however, the scale issuddenly unloaded and the runner is drawn upward past its normalposition of rest by the action of the scale-springs C, the upper ends ofthe rods F strike the stop-arms d, and the movement of the runner isyieldingly stopped by the action of the springs G. In like manner themovement of the runner below the position in which they come to restwhen the scale is fully loaded, due to the sudden loading of the scale,causes the lower ends of these rods F to strike against the anvils a andthe runner is yieldingly stopped by the springs G. These springstherefore act to prevent any in- 5 jurious shocks to the scale mechanismdue to the sudden loading or unloading of the scale.

The runner B carries a rack H, secured to it in the usual manner, andthis rack engages with a pinion 70 on the spindle K. This spindleoccupies a horizontal position at the center of the scale, and it ismounted at its end in bearings in two bridge-bars J J. These bridge-barsare horizontal and are secured at their ends to the bosses at by screws,one of these bridge-bars forming part of one scaleface and the otherforming part of the other scale-face. In the upper and lower edges ofeach of these bars are the grooves j. The straight edges of theapproximately semicircular face-plates M and N enter these grooves,While said face-plates are fastened to the bosses a by screws. The backwalls of these grooves in the bridge-bar may be formed by thin plates ofmetal Q, which are screwed to the rear sides of said bridge-bars.

Near one extremity of the spindle K and behind the correspondingface-plate M is a dial P and near the other end of said spindle a dialP, both being connected with the spindle in a suitable manner, so as tobe compelled to revolve with it. The dial P is graduated in the usualway with concentric rows of value graduations at different rates perunit of value. The outer face of the otherdial P has one row ofgraduations, indicating weights. The weights may be seen by the observerthrough an arc-shaped opening 71 in one of the face-plate sections N.The value graduations may be seen through two horizontal slots orsight-openings j in the bridge-bar J on opposite sides of thescale-center. Over these sightopenings the magnifying-glasses S aresecured. They are set recessesin the back face of the bar J ,whereinthey are held by the same plates Q heretofore referred to. These platesQ, in line with the sight-openings, are provided with a series of holes1, located so as to be over the respective annular rows of valuegraduations on the dial. The rates per unit are marked in figures uponthe outer face of the bridge-bar in line with these smaller openings inthe plate Q. On the other faceplate, adjacent to the sight-openingtherein, is secured an adjustable pointer t. In securing the dials tothe spindle it is intended that when the scale is at rest both dialsshall indicate zero. It may be, however, that said dials shall not besecured to the spindle in the exact relation to each other which theyshould be, in which case it is desirable to have means by which bothdials may be caused to indicate zero when the scale is at rest. Themeans provided consist of a plate T, carrying a pointer 15, which plateis secured to the faceplate N,adjacent to the sight-opening therein, bymeans of a screw 25 passing through a slot 25 in said plate and screwinginto the faceplate.

It will be seen that the described construction of the face-platesadmits of accurate centering of the dial and fitting of the spindle K,and it further admits of the adjusting of the scale mechanism where oneor more of the face-plate sections are removed, so that the adjuster mayobserve the operation of the interior of the mechanism and correct anydefects therein while the spindle is in its permanent bearings. Afterthis the face-plate sections be secured without danger that the correctoperation of the parts will be affected thereby.

The dial P, which is graduated to indicate values, has near its outerperiphery an annular row of weight-indicating graduations, whichgraduations are visible through an areshaped sight-opening m in one ofthe semicircular plates.

Having described our invention,we claim 1. In a spring-balance scale,the combination of a spring-suspended runner having lateral arms, andthe scale-frame having stops above and below said runner-arms, withbuffer-springs between said arms and stops and adapted to yieldinglystop the movement of the runner afterithas passed the positions it wouldoccupy when the scale is empty or when loaded to its capacity,substantially as specified.

2. In a spring-balance scale, the combination of a spring-suspendedrunner, the scaleframe, and stops therein, with buffer-springs carriedby the runner and adapted to engage with said stops when the runner iscarried up beyond its normal position when the scale is empty, or downbelow the position it occupies when the scale is loaded to its capacity,whereby said runner is yieldingly stopped, substantially as specified.

3. In a spring-balance scale, a spring-suspended runner havingoppositely-extended lateral arms through each of which a vertical holeis formed, a rod passing freely through each of said holes, nuts whichscrew onto the opposite ends of said rods, and springs above and belowsaid arms, surrounding said rods, and retained and adjusted by saidnuts, in combination with the scale-frame having stops above and belowsaid arms and adapted to be engaged by said rods, substantially as andfor the purpose specified.

4. In a spring-balance scale, a rotatable spindle and its operatingmechanism, with a dial on said spindle and having an annular row ofweight-indicatin g graduations, a face plate secured over said dial andhaving an arc-shaped sight-opening and a plate, carrying a pointer, andhaving a slot, and a screw passing through said slot and taking into theface-plate, whereby the reading-point on said dial may be adjusted orcorrected, substan tially as specified.

5. In a spring-balance scale, the combination of the scale-frame, thescale mechanism which includes a spindle, a graduated dial on saidspindle, and a face-plate covering said dial,which face-plate iscomposed of a bridgebar Which is fastened to the scale-frame andfurnishes the bearing for one end of the spindle,and twoapproximatelysemicircularplates secured to the scale-frame, saidface-plates having a sight-opening, substantially as and for the purposespecified.

6. In a spring-balance scale, the combination of the scale-frame, ahorizontal bridge bar secured to said frame and furnishing a lar platessecured to the scale-frame and form 15 ing with said bridge bars theface-plates which cover said dials, said face-plates havingsight-openings through which the graduations upon the dials may be read,substantially as specified.

In testimony whereof We hereunto affix our signatures in the presence oftwo witnesses J OHN'W. CULMER. GEORGE E. HOYT.

Witnesses:

LUELLA BARK, PHILIP E. KNOWLTON.

